Paddy Lennon reports from Madejski Stadium.
The headline on Brian Smith’s article in yesterday’s match programme couldn’t have been clearer – “Places up for grabs in Heineken Cup Squad” it read. The players in the London Irish match squad responded in the most positive fashion to the invitation by out-scoring Worcester Warriors seven tries to five in an entertaining round three match in this season’s EDF Energy Cup.
There was nothing at stake but pride for both teams whose results in rounds one and two of the Cup meant that the game was a “dead rubber”. While both managements had an eye on the next crucial, Guinness Premiership encounter between the teams in three weeks time, yesterday was a chance to give emerging talent, players returning from injury and those on the fringe of a first team place, a chance to show what they could do.
In the case of the Exiles the team included Gonzalo Tiesi, making his first start of the season after his exploits withArgentinain the Rugby World Cup; it was the second start for former All Black prop, Clarke Dermody and a welcome return from injury for Dominic Shabbo.
Both Directors of Rugby – Brian Smith for Irish and Mike Ruddock for Worcester, had given their teams the freedom to play an expansive game and it showed throughout the 80 minutes.
The rain that had affected the Thames Valley area cleared before kick-off and while the pitch was wet, the playing surface was in excellent condition for rugby.
The early exchanges were anxious but full of commitment; both teams were content to feel out the other by indulging in a little aerial ping-pong and in unnecessary bouts of fist-cuffs in the close exchanges. The Exiles were comfortable in the early lineouts with James Hudson showing that he can soar to the heights in Kennedy fashion.
Irish had an opportunity to register the first points of the game through a penalty in the 9th minute but Eoghan Hickey’s kick drifted left of the uprights. Juan Leguizamon reminded everyone just how much he is improving as a player with a catch above his head and a 40 metre ball carry from the restart. The run signalled the Exiles’ intent and it was no surprise in the 13th minute when Gonzalo Tiesi capitalised on a clever pass by Bob Casey acting at scrum-half, to power through the visitors’ defence and touch down for his first try of the season and his team’s first of the game. Hickey added the testing conversion.
Inspired by Tiesi’s example Steffon Armitage was next to break down the left, unfortunately for Irish Tiesi was tackled as he tried to capitalise on the flanker’s break. While Irish were having the better of both territory and possession, the Warriors always looked dangerous on the break. Paul Hodgson showed vision and pace when he narrowly beat Chris Pennell to touch down a speculative grubber kick into the Exiles goal area.
The Warriors next attack proved more productive with right wing Miles Benjamin touching down for an unconverted try in the left corner in the 22nd minute. It took Irish just three minutes to respond. Steffon Armitage finishing off another good ball carry by Tiesi after Irish had won a lineout on the right. Once again Hickey struck a fine conversion to stretch his team’s lead to 14-5.
As the half moved into it is final ten minutes the initiative was taken up by the visitors. Former London Irish player Dominic Feaunati caught the eye in midfield. Irish were forced to defend deep in their 22 but were stretched in the 36th minute when Joe Carlisle floated a pass to Marcel Garvey who used his pace and side-step to race through to touch down on the left. Carlislemissed the conversion.
Irish were determined to finish the half as they had started. With Paul Hodgson cajoling the forwards, Irish attacked down the right. Thriving on quick ball, a multi-phase move saw the lively scrum-half pass to Richard Thorpe who drove over for the try. Hickey added the extras for a half-time score of 21-10.
Irish started the second half as they had finished the first. Topsy Ojo enjoying the time and space his role at full back provided him was first to test the Warriors. In the 42nd minute it was “man of the match” Tiesi again with a skilful offload in the tackle that sent the industrious Sailosi Tagicakibau through for at try on the left. Hickey added the extras.
Just to make conditions a little more interesting, the heavens opened temporarily. In the midst of the downpour Hickey stretched his team’s lead with a penalty in the 45th minute as Irish maintained the pressure.
Worcester to their credit kept coming back at the home team using their strong pack to secure field position. The forwards efforts were rewarded in the 50th minute when Kai Horstman drove over for his team’s third try. Carlisleconverted successfully to take the score to 31-17.
Given the fast and loose nature of the exchanges it was unsurprising that the next score fell to Irish. A patient, multi-phase build-up involving forwards and backs and orchestrated by Hodgson and Hickey stretched the visitors and the try-scoring chance fell to Nils Mordt who touched down just left of the posts. The inside centre added the extras.
Three minutes later the Exiles struck again this time through a pushover try from a rolling maul, Richard Thorpe getting the touch down which went unconverted.
As befits a team with “Warriors” in their name,Worcesterrefused to admit defeat and struck back with a break down the left wing that featured quality passing before lock Will Bowley touched down in the corner for an unconverted try.
Both teams used their replacements to the full. Warren Fury took over from Dominic Shabbo and within two minutes was touching down Irish’s seventh try in the right corner! Hickey missed with the difficult touchline conversion attempt to leave the score at 48-22.
Among the Worcestersubstitutions was Shane Drahm for Carlisle at fly-half. The experienced Drahm immediately made an impact. Irish were forced to defend with eight minutes to go. A defence-stretching cross-field kick by Drahm was just too long for Benjamin. Irish went down to 14 men with five minutes remaining when Tiesi came off injured. Worcester were able to capitalise on their numerical advantage with a second try by Bowley in the 79th minute. The conversion was missed and the referee’s whistle signalled the end of an entertaining game with the score at 48-27.
Speaking after the match Exiles’ Forwards Coach, Toby Booth, said, “Competition for places is what we want at this level. A lot of players put their hands up today. We’ve got some tough decisions to make for next Sunday but that’s a headache that you like to have!”
Scorers:LondonIrish: Tries: Tiesi (12), Armitge, S (25), Thorpe 2 (39, 61), Tagicakibau (42), Mordt (58), Fury (68); Conversions: Hickey 4, Mordt. Penalty goal: Hickey (45). WorcesterWarriors: Tries: Benjamin (22), Garvey (36), Horstman (50), Bowley 2 (65, 79); Conversion: Carlisle.
Scoring sequence(LondonIrish first): 7-0, 7-5, 14-5, 14-10, 21-10 (half-time) 28-10, 31-10, 31-17, 38-17, 43-17, 43-22, 48-22, 48-27.
London Irish: T Ojo, D Shabbo (rep: W Fury, 66), G Tiesi, N Mordt (rep: J Staunton, 62), S Tagicakibau (rep: M Ireland, 61), E Hickey, P Hodgson, C Dermody, D Coetzee (rep: D Paice, 59), R Skuse, J Hudson, B Casey (captain) (rep: G Johnson, 40), R Thorpe, S Armitage, J Leguizamon (rep: P Murphy, 69).
Worcester: C Pennell, M Benjamin, M Tucker (rep: U Oduoza, 71), D Feaunati, M Garvey, J Carlisle (rep: S Drahm, 60), M Powell (captain)(rep: J Arr, 66), M Mullan, C Fortey (rep: T Windo, 5-10, 66), D Morris (rep: S Ruwers, 45), G Rawlinson (rep: P Murphy, 61), W Bowley, N Talei (rep: C Everett, 72), J Collins, K Horstman.
Referee: Mr Tim Wigglesworth (RFU)
Attendance: 7,080